LOST loved ones will once again be remembered at special services across Dorset this Christmas.

The Weldmar Hospicecare charity is once again hosting Light up a Life Services, where people can dedicate a light for a loved one on one of their special trees.

Anyone can dedicate a light to a loved one, whether they were cared for by Weldmar or not.

Services of remembrance will also be held at each of the trees in early December, featuring traditional hymns, readings, switching on of the lights and reflection.

Light up a Life services will take place in Blandford, Bridport, Wareham, Dorchester, Sherborne, Gillingham, Weymouth and Lyme Regis.

For anyone unable to attend in person, there will also be an online service broadcast on Weldmar’s Facebook and YouTube channels, which will be available to watch until after Christmas.

Light up a Life supporter Kathy attended the service in Bridport last year to dedicate a light to her husband, Alan, who was cared for by Weldmar Hospicecare before he passed away in October 2022. “It was a beautiful, uplifting celebration of our loved ones’ lives,” she said.

“It was very emotional and magical. I’ll go every year. Even if you’re not religious it doesn’t matter, it’s such a lovely, spiritual, moving way to remember your loved one, and it gives you comfort to know Weldmar is still thinking about you.”

Gloria McCartney, fundraising lead at Weldmar Hospicecare, said: “The Light up a Life services are always a special time of the year for us all at Weldmar Hospicecare, and I know they are important to our communities too, allowing people to come together to pause, reflect and remember loved ones that they have lost.

“We know that Christmas can be a particularly challenging and sad time when grieving for a loved one, and that providing an opportunity for people to dedicate a light to a loved one, whether they have a Weldmar connection or not, at the beginning of the Christmas season, has been so important to so many people.

“Dedicating a light also means that Weldmar can continue to provide specialist care for people living with a life limiting illness in Dorset, and supporting their loved ones too.”

By dedicating a light in return for a donation to Weldmar Hospicecare, you will receive a special Light up a Life pack including a wooden star to hang on your local Light up a Life tree, or your own Christmas tree, a handwritten card from Weldmar, and a copy of the order of service.

You can find out more about the Light up a Life services, and dedicate a light online at weldmarhospicecare.org/lightupalife.